Sunshade with telescopic ribs

ABSTRACT

A sunshade comprises a post, a support rod having a lower end detachably mounted on top of the post, a runner mounted to the support rod and slidable along a longitudinal direction of the support rod, plural stretchers, and plural ribs. Each rib comprises an upper tube and a lower tube that are engaged together in a manner allowing relative longitudinal telescopic movement therebetween. Each upper tube comprises an upper end pivotally connected to an upper end of the support rod. A button is provided for retaining each lower tube in one of an extended state and a retracted state relative to an associated one of the upper tubes. An end of each stretcher is pivotally connected to an associated one of the lower tubes. The other end of each stretcher is pivotally connected to the runner.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a sunshade with telescopic ribs to allow folding of the sunshade to a smaller size for easy transport, carriage, and storage.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004]FIG. 9 of the drawings illustrates a conventional sunshade comprising a post 61, a finishing cap 62 mounted to a top of the post 61 by a sleeve 63, a runner 64 slidably mounted to the post 61 and having a sleeve 65, plural ribs 68 each having an upper end pivotally mounted to the finishing cap 62, and plural stretchers 69 each having a first end pivotally connected to an intermediate portion of an associated one of the ribs 68 and a second end pivotally connected to the runner 64. When opening the sunshade, the runner 65 is moved to slide upward to thereby stretching the ribs 68 via transmission by the stretchers 66 until the sleeve 65 moves across a spring-biased stop 69 that returns to an outward position to provide a support for the runner 64. Thus, the sunshade is retained in a fully extended state. However, even though the sunshade is completely folded and the post 61 may be comprised of several detachable sections, it is still too bulky to carry, transport, or store, as the ribs 68 are not telescopic.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a sunshade with telescopic ribs to allow folding of the sunshade to a smaller size for easy transport, carriage, and storage. Thus, the sunshade can be conveniently, easily stored in a trunk of a car, which is convenient to users.

[0006] In accordance with the present invention, a sunshade comprises:

[0007] a post;

[0008] a support rod having an upper end and a lower end detachably mounted on top of the post;

[0009] a runner mounted to the support rod and slidable along a longitudinal direction of the support rod;

[0010] plural stretchers each having a first end and a second end;

[0011] plural ribs each comprising an upper tube and a lower tube that are engaged together in a manner allowing relative longitudinal telescopic movement therebetween, each said upper tube comprising an upper end pivotally connected to the upper end of the support rod;

[0012] means for retaining the runner in a position corresponding to an unfolded state of the sunshade; and

[0013] means for retaining each said lower tube in one of an extended position and a retracted position relative to an associated one of the upper tubes;

[0014] the first end of each said stretcher being pivotally connected to an associated one of the lower tubes, the second end of each said stretcher being pivotally connected to the runner.

[0015] The sunshade may further comprise means for retaining the runner in a position corresponding to a semi-unfolded state of the sunshade to thereby allow telescopic movement of each said lower tube relative to an associated one of the upper tubes.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment in accordance with the present invention, a sunshade comprises:

[0017] a post;

[0018] a support rod having an upper end and a lower end detachably mounted on top of the post;

[0019] a runner mounted to the support rod and slidable along a longitudinal direction of the support rod;

[0020] plural stretchers each having a first end and a second end;

[0021] plural ribs each comprising an upper tube and a lower tube that are engaged together in a manner allowing relative longitudinal telescopic movement therebetween, each said upper tube comprising an upper end pivotally connected to the upper end of the support rod, each said upper tube further comprising a lower end received in an associated one of the lower tubes, each said lower tube comprising a pivotal seat securely attached to an upper end thereof;

[0022] the first end of each said stretcher pivotally connected to the pivotal seat of an associated one of the lower tubes, the second end of each said stretcher being pivotally connected to the runner;

[0023] an upper spring-biased stop mounted to the support rod and having an end movable between an inward position inside the support rod and an outward position outside the support rod for supporting the runner;

[0024] a lower spring-biased stop being mounted to the support rod and located below the upper spring-biased stop, the lower spring-biased stop having an end movable between an inward position inside the support rod and an outward position outside the support rod for supporting the runner;

[0025] each said lower tube comprising an upper positioning hole and a lower positioning hole;

[0026] each said upper tube comprising a spring-biased button for releasably engaging with one of the upper positioning hole and the lower positioning hole;

[0027] wherein when the runner rests on the lower spring-biased stop, each said lower tube is telescopic relative to the associated one of the upper tubes and thus movable between a retracted position and an extended position;

[0028] wherein the sunshade is in a fully opened state when the runner rests on the upper spring-biased stop, and the sunshade is moved to a fully folded state when the runner is moved to a position below the lower spring-biased stop.

[0029] Each upper tube comprises a stop securely mounted thereto and located in the associated one of the lower tubes. Each pivotal seat comprises a protrusion projecting into the associated one of the lower tubes. The protrusion is stopped by the stop to thereby prevent disengagement of the associated one of the lower tubes from the associated one of the upper tubes.

[0030] Each upper tube comprises a spring having a first end attached to an inner periphery of the upper tube and a second end attached to an associated one of the buttons to thereby bias the associated one of the buttons toward the associated one of the lower tubes.

[0031] Other objects, advantages, and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032]FIG. 1 is a side view of a sunshade with telescopic ribs in accordance with the present invention.

[0033]FIG. 2 is a side view, in an enlarged scale and partly sectioned. of the sunshade with telescopic ribs in accordance with the present invention.

[0034]FIG. 3 is a side view illustrating a semi-unfolded state of the sunshade in accordance with the present invention.

[0035]FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a rib of the sunshade in the semi-unfolded state.

[0036]FIG. 5 is a side view illustrating a fully unfolded state of the sunshade in accordance with the present invention.

[0037]FIG. 6 is a side view, partly sectioned, of a rib of the sunshade in the fully unfolded state.

[0038]FIG. 7 is a side view of the sunshade in a fully folded state with the ribs in an extended state.

[0039]FIG. 8 is a side view of the sunshade in a fully folded state with the ribs in a retracted state.

[0040]FIG. 9 is a schematic view of a frame of a conventional sunshade.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0041] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a sunshade in accordance with the present invention generally includes a post 50, a support rod 10, plural stretchers 20, and plural telescopic ribs 40. The support rod 10 is detachably mounted on top of the post 50 by e.g., threading engagement. A finishing cap 11 is mounted on top of the support rod 10 by a sleeve 12. Each telescopic rib 40 has an upper end pivotally attached to the finishing cap 11, which will be described in detail later.

[0042] An upper spring-biased stop 15 and a lower spring-biased stop 16 are mounted to the support rod 10. As illustrated in FIG. 2, each stop 15, 16 has a first end 151, 161 pivotally engaged in a hole 17, 18 in the support rod 10 and a second end 153, 163 extending through a slot 154, 164 in the support rod 10. And an elastic element 152, 162 has a first end attached to the stop 15, 16 and a second end attached to an inner periphery defining the support rod 10, thereby biasing the second end 153, 163 of the stop 15, 16 out of the slot 154, 164. Thus, the second end 153, 163 of each stop 15, 16 is movable between an inward position inside the support rod 10 and an outward position outside the support rod 10. A runner 13 is slidably mounted to the support rod 10 and includes a sleeve 14. Each stretcher 20 has a first end pivotally connected to the runner 13 and a second end pivotally connected to a respective rib 40. which will be described later.

[0043] Each telescopic rib 40 comprises an upper tube 42 and a lower tube 41 that are engaged together in a manner allowing relative longitudinal telescopic movement therebetween. In this embodiment, the upper tube 42 is rectangular in section and includes an upper end pivotally connected to the finishing cap 11 and a lower end extending into an interior of the lower tube 41 that is also rectangular in section. A stop 424 (FIG. 6) is securely attached to the upper tube 42 and located in the lower tube 42 to prevent disengagement of the upper tube 42 from the lower tube 41. Referring to FIGS. 2, the upper tube 42 comprises a transverse hole 421 through which a button 422 extends. The button 422 has a dome (not labeled) in an end thereof, and an elastic element 423 securely attached between an inner periphery defining the upper tube 42 and the other end of the button 422.

[0044] The lower tube 41 includes comprises an upper positioning hole 411 and a lower positioning hole 412 for selective engagement with the button 422. A pivotal seat 30 is securely mounted to the lower tube 41 to move therewith. In this embodiment, the pivotal seat 30 is substantially L-shaped and comprises at least one protrusion 31 for engaging with a positioning hole 413 in an upper end of the lower tube 41 (FIG. 6). The stop 424 on the upper tube 41 stops the protrusion 31 during downward movement of the lower tube 41 relative to the upper tube 42 to thereby prevent disengagement of the lower tube 41 from the upper tube 42. The upper end of each stretcher 20 is pivotally connected to the pivotal seat 30 at 32.

[0045] When opening the sunshade from a completely folded state shown in FIG. 7, the runner 13 is moved upward across the lower stop 16 which, after the runner 13 has passed therethrough, returns to its outward position to provide a support for the sleeve 14 of the runner 13, as shown in FIG. 3. It is noted that the button 422 on each rib 40 is engaged in the upper positioning hole 411 of the lower tube 41. Next, the runner 13 is further moved upward across the upper stop 15 which, after the runner 13 has passed therethrough, returns to its outward position to provide a support for the sleeve 14 of the runner 13, as shown in FIG. 5. Thus, the sunshade is in a fully unfolded state. It is noted that the sunshade can be used in a way similar to a conventional one. Namely, the user may push the upper stop 15 and the lower stop 16 and move the runner 13 along the support rod 10 to fold/unfold the sunshade between three states respectively shown in FIGS. 7, 3, and 5.

[0046] When the sunshade is in a state shown in FIG. 3, each rib 40 is telescopic between an extended state shown in FIG. 3 and a retracted state shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Namely, when the sunshade is in the state shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, each rib 40 can be moved to the extended position shown in FIG. 3 by means of pushing the button 422 to disengage it from the lower positioning hole 412 and pulling the respective lower tube 41 downward and outward until the button 422 engages with the upper positioning hole 411 in the respective lower tube 411 under the action of the respective elastic element 423, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. It is noted that the upper end of each stretcher 20 pivots downward and outward during the downward and outward movement of the respective lower tube 41. Referring to FIG. 6, the stop 424 on the upper tube 41 stops the protrusion 31 during downward movement of the lower tube 41 relative to the upper tube 42 to thereby prevent disengagement of the lower tube 41 from the upper tube 42 resulting from excessive downward movement of the lower tube 41. Also, the user may move each rib 40 from the extended state shown in FIG. 3 to the retracted state shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 by means of pushing the button 422 to disengage it from the upper positioning hole 411 and pulling the respective lower tube 41 upward and inward until the button 422 engages with the lower positioning hole 411 in the respective lower tube 41 under the action of the respective elastic element 423. It is noted that the upper end of each stretcher 20 pivots upward and inward during the upward and inward movement of the respective lower tube 41.

[0047] It is noted that it is impossible to fully unfold or open the sunshade when any one of the ribs 40 is in the retracted state shown in FIG. 1. This is because the stretchers 20 are in an upright position when the ribs 40 are in the retracted state, best shown in FIG. 1.

[0048] When not in use, the sunshade is firstly folded to a state shown in FIG. 1, and the post 50 is then detached from the support rod 10, as shown in FIG. 8. Thus, the sunshade, including the ribs 40, can be completely folded when not in use. Thus, the size of the folded sunshade is further reduced when the ribs 40 are retracted, which allows the sunshade to be easily carried, transported, or stored. Thus, even a trunk of a car is enough for receiving the fully folded sunshade in accordance with the present invention.

[0049] In an alternative embodiment, although not specifically shown, the upper tube 42 receives the upper end of the lower tube 41 and may include a longitudinal slot to allow sliding movement of the lower tube 41 along the longitudinal direction.

[0050] Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A sunshade comprising: a post; a support rod having an upper end and a lower end detachably mounted on top of the post; a runner mounted to the support rod and slidable along a longitudinal direction of the support rod; plural stretchers each having a first end and a second end; plural ribs each comprising an upper tube and a lower tube that are engaged together in a manner allowing relative longitudinal telescopic movement therebetween, each said upper tube comprising an upper end pivotally connected to the upper end of the support rod; means for retaining the runner in a position corresponding to an unfolded state of the sunshade; and means for retaining each said lower tube in one of an extended position and a retracted position relative to an associated one of the upper tubes; the first end of each said stretcher being pivotally connected to an associated one of the lower tubes, the second end of each said stretcher being pivotally connected to the runner.
 2. The sunshade as claimed in claim 1, further comprising means for retaining the runner in a position corresponding to a semi-unfolded state of the sunshade to thereby allow telescopic movement of each said lower tube relative to an associated one of the upper tubes.
 3. A sunshade comprising: a post; a support rod having an upper end and a lower end detachably mounted on top of the post; a runner mounted to the support rod and slidable along a longitudinal direction of the support rod; plural stretchers each having a first end and a second end; plural ribs each comprising an upper tube and a lower tube that are engaged together in a manner allowing relative longitudinal telescopic movement therebetween, each said upper tube comprising an upper end pivotally connected to the upper end of the support rod, each said upper tube further comprising a lower end received in an associated one of the lower tubes, each said lower tube comprising a pivotal seat securely attached to an upper end thereof; the first end of each said stretcher pivotally connected to the pivotal seat of an associated one of the lower tubes, the second end of each said stretcher being pivotally connected to the runner; an upper spring-biased stop mounted to the support rod and having an end movable between an inward position inside the support rod and an outward position outside the support rod for supporting the runner; a lower spring-biased stop being mounted to the support rod and located below the upper spring-biased stop, the lower spring-biased stop having an end movable between an inward position inside the support rod and an outward position outside the support rod for supporting the runner; each said lower tube comprising an upper positioning hole and a lower positioning hole; each said upper tube comprising a spring-biased button for releasably engaging with one of the upper positioning hole and the lower positioning hole; wherein when the runner rests on the lower spring-biased stop, each said lower tube is telescopic relative to the associated one of the upper tubes and thus movable between a retracted position and an extended position; wherein the sunshade is in a fully opened state when the runner rests on the upper spring-biased stop, and the sunshade is moved to a fully folded state when the runner is moved to a position below the lower spring-biased stop.
 4. The sunshade as claimed in claim 3, wherein each said upper tube comprises a stop securely mounted thereto and located in the associated one of the lower tubes, each said pivotal seat comprising a protrusion projecting into the associated one of the lower tubes, said protrusion being stopped by the stop to thereby prevent disengagement of the associated one of the lower tubes from the associated one of the upper tubes.
 5. The sunshade as claimed in claim 3, wherein each said upper tube comprises a spring having a first end attached to an inner periphery of the upper tube and a second end attached to an associated one of the buttons to thereby bias the associated one of the buttons toward the associated one of the lower tubes. 